Vital Signs Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four ways we assess vital signs?

A

temperature (T)
respirations (R)
blood pressure (BP)
pulse (P)

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2
Q

body temperature is caused by:

A

cellular metabolism, the release of energy by cells

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3
Q

What is a normal temperature reading for oral?

A

37 C
98.6 F

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4
Q

What is a normal temperature reading for rectal?

A

37.6 C
99.6 F

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5
Q

What is a normal temperature reading for axillary?

A

36.4 C
97.6 F

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6
Q

What is a normal temperature reading for temporal (forehead)?

A

97.6 F

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7
Q

tympanic

A

very quick and accurate

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8
Q

hypothermia

A

temperature below 97 F
death occurs below 93 F

is useful in surgical procedures

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9
Q

hyperthermia

A

fever
death occurs above 108 F

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10
Q

What are other terms that describe a body fever?

A

pyrexia or febrile

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11
Q

What are the normal respiration rates for adults?

A

15-20 breaths per min

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12
Q

What are the normal respiration rates for neonates?

A

30-50 breaths per min

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13
Q

respiration

A

exchange between CO2 with oxygen in the alveoli

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14
Q

What are the four ways we can evaluate respiration?

A

rate
rhythm
depth
character (quality)

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15
Q

How do you count respirations?

A

1 respiration is count by one up and down movement of chest

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16
Q

abnormal respirations

A

crackles, fluid in chest
gurgles, fluid
wheezing, asthma
stridor sign
apnea
dyspnea
tachypnea

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17
Q

wheezing

A

breathing with a whistling or rattling sound

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18
Q

labored

A

struggling to breathe

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19
Q

apnea

A

stopping of breathing, especially during sleep

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20
Q

dyspnea

A

shortness of breath

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21
Q

tachypnea

A

abnormally fast breathing

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22
Q

bradypnea

A

abnormally slow breathing

23
Q

orthopnea

A

breathing depends on position

24
Q

pulse

A

pressure exerted against an arterial wall

25
Q

What are the six different areas of the body we can assess pulse?

A

carotid
radial
brachial
temporal
femoral
pedal

26
Q

What are the normal ranges for pulse in adults?

A

60-100 beats per min

27
Q

What are the normal ranges for pulse in neonates?

A

90-140 beats per min

28
Q

tachycardia

A

fast heart rate over 100 bpm

29
Q

bradycardia

A

slow heart rate under 60 bpm

30
Q

arrhythmia

A

irregular heart rate/pulse

31
Q

thready pulse

A

weak pulse

32
Q

bounding pulse

A

strong pulse

33
Q

What are three ways we can evaluate pulse?

A

rhythm
quality
rate

34
Q

What is the single most important vital sign to assess?

A

blood pressure

35
Q

blood pressure

A

how well the arterial system is accepting the blood being pumped from the heart

36
Q

systolic

A

top number

amount of pressure experienced by arteries while the heart beats

37
Q

diastolic

A

bottom number

amount of pressure in the arteries while the heart is resting between heartbeats

38
Q

hypertension

A

high blood pressure (systolic > 140 and/or diastolic > 90)

39
Q

atherosclerosis

A

thickening of the arteries due to plaque buildup

40
Q

occlusion

A

complete blockage of vessel

41
Q

stenosis

A

narrowing of the vessel

42
Q

hypotension

A

low blood pressure (systolic < 90, diastolic < 60)

43
Q

What is average blood pressure range for adults?

A

120/80

44
Q

hypoxemia

A

too little oxygen in the blood

45
Q

hypoxia

A

too much oxygen in the blood

46
Q

cyanosis

A

blueness of the skin due to low oxygen levels

47
Q

What is the purpose of an oximeter?

A

to measure the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood

48
Q

angina

A

chest pain

49
Q

fibrillation

A

irregular heartbeat

50
Q

arteriosclerosis

A

hardening of the arteries

51
Q

cardiomegaly

A

abnormal enlargement of heart

52
Q

atelectasis

A

collapse of all or portion of lung

53
Q

pneumothorax

A

free air in the lungs